RS Durai Senthkumar; Unni Mukundan, Soori and Sasikumar in a scene from ‘Garudan’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
For director RS Durai Senthilkumar, the protagonist is an ordinary man who has the courage, resilience and ability “to deal with the most extraordinary circumstances, either for a larger purpose or for his own benefit.” His upcoming action film Garudaan It offers a god-like perspective of three heroes, making the film a kind of relay race, “as each of them takes one after the other and moves the story forward.”
This kind of multi-hero subject suits Durai perfectly as almost all of his films show an effort to give ample space to secondary leads and supporting characters. Durai attributes this quality to the experience of working with his mentors – the brilliant filmmakers Balu Mahendra and Vetri Maaran. “These are things I would have learnt from interacting with them. But even then, a story told over two hours cannot be one-sided; it will only lead to a templated product,” he says, adding that strong supporting characters help add drama to the story and strengthen the conflict.
Heroes in Tamil cinema have long been reluctant to take on projects that might give them a chance to share the limelight with others. “But now, even in big films, having multiple casts has become a necessity. The heroes are also aware of this.” That is why, says Durai, actor Suri – who has begun a second innings as a serious actor since Vetri Maaran’s film Viduthalai — has chosen a multi-protagonist theme e.g. Garudaan For his second attempt as the protagonist. “He knows that despite the presence of others, he can shine in a story like this.”
Garudaan Sasikumar and Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan are best friends, and Soori is the watchful protector of Unni’s character. Does this tripartite equation remind you of Kishore-Dhanush-Daniel Balaji Polladhavan and Ameer-Samuthirakani-Dhanush Vada ChennaiEven Durai’s 2016 hit film KodiIt has two characters (Dhanush and Trisha) and a brother (Dhanush; in a dual role) taking the story forward. “Perhaps, this is also something I would have picked up from Vettri sir (Laughs“This is a huge challenge,” says Durai.
Suri, Sasikumar and Unni Mukundan in scenes from ‘Garudan’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The casting is the focus of all the hype GarudaanCasting Sasikumar for the role was easy; the actor has long been a preferred choice for such rural action films. “We wanted an interesting choice to play the role opposite Sasikumar, and that’s when we decided to go with the Malayalam film Malikappuram It released in Tamil and did well. That is what led us to Unni Mukundan.”
Contrary to most people’s belief, Durai had not chosen Soori as the protagonist after his popular role. Viduthalai; in fact, the project had materialised even before the release of Vetri Maaran’s film, and it was Soori who had given the seed of the story to Durai. “For shooting the train sequence ViduthalaiVetri sir had asked all his former assistant directors to help him on the set, and so I was there to assist him in coordination; Soori sir was also on the set to see how the sequence was being shot, and I got some time to interact with him. Also, I watched all the footage of both Viduthalai Review of films during editing.
So when Suri wanted to make another film as hero, the production banner offered Durai as an option, thanks to Vetri Maaran and Viduthalai“Then I met Suri and we were brainstorming about what kind of story we wanted to tell; he told me a very inspiring character sketch and I started writing the script.”
Durai knows about Suri’s makeover and the success of Suri’s yet to be released film Kottukalli In the festival circuit, expectations have risen from Garudaan“Though it is being projected as Soori’s film – and it is his film after all – I am hoping that it reaches the audience as a good story with all the characters bringing out their respective roles,” says Durai.
Suri in a scene from ‘Garudan’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Garudaan The film is releasing at a weird time for Tamil cinema., The box office is not doing well – Durai says that will change soon – and the unprecedented success of twenty-year-old films in cinemas makes you wonder what will make a good commercial action film in 2024. “We cannot cite exceptional cases here, because Ghillie It is the best and the pinnacle of all commercial films in Tamil cinema. As far as films that work for the audience are concerned, there is no set rule that can be applied; if we had, we would all apply it. It is all a matter of probability.”
However, Durai says there could be a change in the way commercial films are packaged, as OTT has influenced the taste of Tamil audiences. “Everyone is watching world cinema now, so, a film needs to be more true to its genre. Films don’t have to have everything anymore.”
with Garuda’s In this regard, Durai is confident that the film will bring audiences to the theatres. “Soori’s acting is worth watching. The most important thing is how a particular moment did wonders Kodi There are some moments like that in theatres Garudaan,
Garudan will release in cinemas this Friday, May 31
